In the eight years that they have been a band, Brooklyn-based duo Matt Johnson and Kim Schifino have tinkered with several different sounds and music styles, ranging from simple, drum-heavy pop that sounds like it was recorded in a loft, to more produced tracks appealing to a more top-40 audience.
Beginning as somewhat of an experiment during their years at Pratt Institute, Matt & Kim have released three studio albums (Grand, Sidewalks, and Lightning), all beginning with a whirlwind year of performing in Brooklyn art spaces and basements, releasing their LP, To/From, and touring in a van.
The band is known for a distinctive sound that has remained present in the majority of their music, despite the other changes in style. The duo is known for heavy drums and synth that make up a sort of heavy punk-infused pop.
Lightning, Matt & Kim’s latest album is definitely a departure from previous styles, especially Sidewalks, the duo’s sophomore album which was released in 2010. Sidewalks veered away from the raw, unproduced sound the band had broken onto the music scene with a few years prior. Sidewalks definitely sounded more produced — like it was trying more to appeal to a more mainstream crowd. While this vanilla-pop style is still present on Lightning, several tracks, such as “Let Go” and “Not That Bad,” have reverted back to the simplistic style heard on the band’s first studio album, Grand. These songs feature more of Matt’s unconventional vocals, simple melodies and synth riffs, heavy drumbeats, and the squirrely punk flavor that contributes to the band’s signature, and distinct style.
Although Matt & Kim haven’t evolved much as a band, it is always interesting to see how they deal with the pop genre. On Lightning, it appears that the duo have decided to straddle the line of mainstream, top-40 pop and the punk, homemade pop that put them on the map eight years ago..
Matt & Kim will be playing this Friday, November 16th, at the Boston House of Blues at 8 pm. Tickets starts at $22.
By: Charlotte Holley